Patent GB-191319169-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Raising or Forcing Liquids.
Inventor: HUMPHREY HERBERT ALFRED
Filed: 1913-08-23
Granted: 1914-08-24
Abstract: 19,169. Humphrey, H. A., and Rusdell, W. J. Aug. 23. Momentum apparatus; direct explosion apparatus. -High-pressure liquid is admitted intermittently to a column of low-pressure liquid in such a manner that the momentum of the column thus set in motion is utilized to raise fresh low-pressure liquid. The control of the admission of the high-pressure liquid is effected by cyclical changes of head or pressure in the high-pressure liquid such, for example, as those occurring in the play pipe of an internal-combustion pump of the freely-oscillating liquid-piston type. Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically one form of the apparatus in which water is raised from a level a-a to a level b-b by high-pressure water from the water tower 2 of a Humphrey pump. In the position shown, the valve 4 is open and high-pressure water is flowing from the pipe 1 and tower 2 into the chamber 8, imparting momentum to the column of water in the pipe 9. As soon as the level of water c-c in the tower 2 falls, a float 6 allows the valve 4 to close, whereupon the momentum of the water in the pipe 9 causes the valve 3 to open and water to be drawn up from the level a-a, through the pipe 10. At the same time, the level c-c of the water in the tower 2 again rises, and as soon as the buoyancy of the float 6 is sufficient to overcome the difference of pressure acting on the two sides of the valve 4, the valve opens and a fresh impulse is imparted to the liquid column in the pipe 9. Air vessels 11, 12 serve to regulate the action of the apparatus. In modifications, (1) the valve 4 may be replaced by a partlybalanced double-beat valve or by a set of rigidlyconnected ring valves. (2) The outlet end of the pipe 9 may be expanded and fitted with a curved plate arranged so that the velocity of the issuing liquid decreases gradually. (3) The water tower 2- may be replaced by a vessel closed at the top and containing compressed air. (4) The float 6 may be replaced by a loaded diaphragm or by a piston fitting in a cylindrical high pressure tank. (5) The valve 4 may be arranged horizontally and operated from the float 6 through a bell-crank lever. (6) The float, diaphragm, or piston may be dispensed with as shown in Fig. 12, the opening of the valve 4 being effected by a spring 22 and by reduction of pressure above the valve consequent upon a return flow of liquid in the pipe 2 brought about by compression of air in the air vessel 11 during the previous forward stroke ; the closing of the valve 4 is effected by the rush of liquid past it. (7) In the last-mentioned arrangement, the apparatus may be made self-regulating by the inversion of the valves 4 as shown in Fig. 13, and the provision of a vessel 24 on the valve stem through which water from the high-pressure supply flows. When the pressure of the high-pressure supply increases, the weight of water in the vessel 24 increases proportionately, and the valve 4<b> is consequently held open for a longer time, the work done by the pump being thereby increased. (8) Selfregulation may be effected by means of a float in a vessel supplied by the high pressure liquid which controls the degree of opening of the valve 4. (9) The operation of the valve 4 may be controlled by a pendulum, which may itself be controlled by a float controlled by the head of high-pressure liquid. (10) When a Humphrey pump is used to supply the high-pressure water to the tower 2, it may be situated in the delivery tank at the level b-b, as shown in Fig. 17.